NGARRA-BURRIA
Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers 2025 Showcase
Each year, Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers – our award-winning collaborative First Nations artist development program – brings exciting new artistic voices into the spotlight - you can discover them for yourself in this concert at the Eugene Goossens Hall (Sydney). Hear new instrumental works from the 2025 cohort alongside music by Mark ‘Munk’ Ross and join the celebration of stories reflecting culture, country and connection to the here and now.
DETAILS
Wednesday 15 October 6pm, Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo Centre
PROGRAM
Musical Acknowledgement of Country
Christopher Sainsbury – Simple Truths (2024)
Nicole Smede - Garan (Wings Of Birds)* (2025)
Aaron Wyatt – Cumulus (2022)
Brenda Gifford - Saltwater* (2025)
Will Kepa – Sleepless Dreaming (2022)
Troy Russell - Motorways* (2025)
Troy Russell - No Thoughts (2011)
Mark ‘Munk’ Ross - Colonisation and Demonisation of the Ibis* (2025)
Mark 'Munk' Ross - Generations* (2025) First Nations Composer in Residence Commission
* World premiere
PERFORMERS
Claire Edwardes (Artistic Director, percussion)
Jason Noble (clarinets)
Lamorna Nightingale (flute)
Ronan Apcar (piano)
Sonya Holowell (voice)
DESCRIPTION
Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers is our award-winning collaborative artist development program, and in 2025 we celebrate ten years of building bridges for First Nations musicians to develop composition skills while connecting with their cultural roots. Each year, Ngarra-Burria brings exciting new artistic voices into the spotlight and you can discover them for yourself in this concert at the Eugene Goossens Hall (Sydney).
Hear new instrumental works from the 2025 cohort alongside music by Mark ‘Munk’ Ross, Ensemble Offspring’s 2025–26 First Nations Composer in Residence, and join the celebration of stories reflecting culture, country and connection to the here and now.
“Too Deadly”
“The sheer diversity of styles, some incorporating jazz, percussion, repetitive and vocal elements, ensures variety and attraction.”
“A team of incredible composers, mentors, and Ensemble Offspring’s musical interpreters, coming together to empower First Nations Voices”
“Ensemble Offspring’s program showcased not only the unique styles and arrangements of the compositions, but also gave a sense of the importance of storytelling for First Nations people.”
“While Australia has been debating the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in parliament, a dozen First Nations composers have been given their own voice…”
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM
Accessibility Information
The Eugene Goossens Hall is fully wheelchair accessible via a ramp on the left side of the entrance stairs. If you have accessibility requirements, please reach out to the friendly Ensemble Offspring team by emailing admin@ensembleoffspring.com.
SUPPORTED BY
Ensemble Offspring is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
